VARA is the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, the world's first dedicated emirate-level regulator for virtual assets (cryptocurrencies, NFTs, stablecoins). Established in 2022.
What it does
VARA licenses virtual-asset service providers operating in Dubai (excluding the DIFC financial free zone, which is under DFSA). Licensed activities include exchange services, broker-dealer activities, custody, lending, and the issuance of virtual-asset products. VARA publishes a public licensee register; UAE editorial framing of crypto firms uses "VARA-licensed" as the regulator-anchored alternative to "best crypto exchange".
Key facts
| Type | Emirate-level virtual-asset regulator |
| Jurisdiction | Dubai (excluding DIFC, which is DFSA) |
| Established | 2022 |
| Licensee register | Public VARA register |
| Official portal | vara.ae |
